Dickinson County's Lake Antoine Park offers 90 camping sites, about two-thirds of which were listed as reserved Tuesday for the May 23-25 Memorial Day weekend that marks the opening of the camping season. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Camping fees at Lake Antoine came under criticism Monday from a Breitung Township resident who warned the Dickinson County park may see a decline in revenues.

“There are people who are not happy with your prices,” Wendy Knudsen told the county board during citizens’ time of its monthly meeting.

Earlier this year, the board set camping fees at $39 per night for both residents and nonresidents. Long-term leases are available as well, at discounts ranging from 10% to 20%.

Commissioner Joe Stevens said the board hopes to no longer subsidize the park through the county’s general fund, which provided about $26,000 in 2025. He also credited Lake Antoine Park Partners for enabling many improvements.

As recently as 2020, camping rates were $20 for residents and $24 for non-residents, but the county has invested heavily in the campground since. In 2022, rates were increased to $30 for county residents and $35 for non-residents following a 2021 season in which the campground was closed due to broken water pipes.

Stevens said Lake Antoine will always be “a work in progress.” Ten years ago, he continued, the board made a decision to improve the park rather than shut it down or sell it.

“It is a whole lot better than it was 10 years ago,” he said.

Controller Brian Bousley estimated county spending has approached $1 million for Lake Antoine over the past 10 years. The park advertises 90 modern campsites and as of Tuesday afternoon about two-thirds were reserved for Memorial Day weekend.

Fees for Michigan state park modern and semi-modern campsites as of Aug. 1 ranged from $26 to $45 per night, depending on the location and available amenities, according to a state website.

Commissioner Victoria Jakel said that rising electricity costs were a factor in the Dickinson board’s decision to raise fees.

Apart from fees, Knudsen voiced other complaints — such as restroom doors that don’t lock, poor drainage in showers, standing water in campsites after rains, and the lack of a playground for older children.

Stevens said some issues can be looked into further. He also noted a work bee will take place Saturday as the park prepares to open for the camping season the following weekend.

In other action, the county board:

— Approved a letter of support for an application submitted by Bellin Memorial Hospital Inc. for federal funding to purchase a medical mobile unit to serve residents of the Upper Peninsula. The unit, based at Bellin’s Iron Mountain clinic, would focus on serving underserved and hard-to-reach populations. Stevens described it as “a fantastic idea.”

— Approved minutes from a committee meeting on April 9. The only item reported from the one-hour meeting was a discussion with state Rep. Karl Bohnak, R-Deerton, stating he “spoke on the reason he ran.” Jakel abstained from approving the minutes, as she was not present for the session. Attending were Chairman Dan Harrington, commissioners Peter Swanson, Kevin Sullivan and Stevens, along with Bousley, County Clerk Carol Bronzyk, Sheriff Aaron Rochon and Administrative Assistant Christy Paul.

— Agreed to waive the rental fee at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds administration building for Camp 911, sponsored by Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic-Dickinson, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police. The event is scheduled for June 23-24.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.